Exeter defeats Saracens 32-12 to advance to play-offs
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 6, 2026, 4:41 PM
Last updated Jun 6, 2026
Exeter secured a 32-12 victory over Saracens on June 6, 2026, to advance to the Premiership play-offs. Henry Slade opened the scoring for Exeter, who took control after a series of penalties and tries from Max Norey, Slade, Andrea Zambonin, and Stephen Varney. Saracens initially led with a try from Tobias Elliott but struggled after a key sin bin. This victory marked Exeter's return to the play-offs for the first time since 2021. They are set to face Bath next week in the semi-finals, while Saracens will finish their season under Mark McCall's management.
- •Exeter scores four tries to Saracens' two
- •Match held at Sandy Park
- •Exeter now sits third in the Premiership
- •Next match for Exeter is a semi-final against Bath
- •McCall ends his long tenure as Saracens' boss
- 5:05 PMYahoo Sports — Henry Slade leads Exeter into new era and brings an end to Mark McCall’s Saracens reign
- 4:41 PMThe Guardian Sport — Exeter power past Saracens to book spot in playoff semi-final
- 4:11 PMYahoo Sports — Exeter beat Saracens to reach play-offs and end McCall's reign
- 4:11 PMBBC Sport — Exeter beat Saracens to reach play-offs and end McCall's reign
"Prem Rugby: Exeter 32-12 Saracens Mark McCall’s 15-year Sarries tenure comes to an end Not since 2021 have Exeter finished in the Prem top four, hence the heartfelt Devon roar at the final whistle. To beat their old rivals Saracens to a playoff place made this result all the sweeter for the hosts, if not for their downcast, deflated visitors. It will be the Chiefs who progress to the semi-final stage where they will meet Bath at the Rec. In doing so, they also officially drew the curtains on Mark McCall’s 15-year tenure in charge of Sarries. This is absolutely not how the Ulsterman or his players wanted it to end but, in the first half at least, this was exactly McCall’s type of game: hard, unforgiving and intense. Give or take the salary cap saga, he will leave behind a serious body of work and big shoes to fill. Continue reading...
"The end of an era for Saracens, as the curtain finally falls on Mark McCall’s 17-year tenure, and the beginning of a new one for their fierce rivals Exeter Chiefs, who storm into the Prem play-offs with this comprehensive victory.
"Exeter beat bitter rivals Saracens 32-12 to ensure a Prem play-off semi-final and end the reign of long-serving Sarries boss Mark McCall.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 6, 2026, 5:05 PMHenry Slade leads Exeter into new era and brings an end to Mark McCall’s Saracens reign
The end of an era for Saracens, as the curtain finally falls on Mark McCall’s 17-year tenure, and the beginning of a new one for their fierce rivals Exeter Chiefs, who storm into the Prem play-offs with this comprehensive victory.
- The Guardian SportJun 6, 2026, 4:41 PMExeter power past Saracens to book spot in playoff semi-final
Prem Rugby: Exeter 32-12 Saracens Mark McCall’s 15-year Sarries tenure comes to an end Not since 2021 have Exeter finished in the Prem top four, hence the heartfelt Devon roar at the final whistle. To beat their old rivals Saracens to a playoff place made this result all the sweeter for the hosts, if not for their downcast, deflated visitors. It will be the Chiefs who progress to the semi-final stage where they will meet Bath at the Rec. In doing so, they also officially drew the curtains on Mark McCall’s 15-year tenure in charge of Sarries. This is absolutely not how the Ulsterman or his players wanted it to end but, in the first half at least, this was exactly McCall’s type of game: hard, unforgiving and intense. Give or take the salary cap saga, he will leave behind a serious body of work and big shoes to fill. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsJun 6, 2026, 4:11 PMExeter beat Saracens to reach play-offs and end McCall's reign
Exeter beat bitter rivals Saracens 32-12 to ensure a Prem play-off semi-final and end the reign of long-serving Sarries boss Mark McCall.
- BBC SportJun 6, 2026, 4:11 PMExeter beat Saracens to reach play-offs and end McCall's reign
Exeter beat bitter rivals Saracens 32-12 to ensure a Prem play-off semi-final and end the reign of long-serving Sarries boss Mark McCall.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- Rugby•Jun 12, 2026, 9:58 PMPollock a workhorse rather than show pony as Saints reach Prem final
NRL•Jun 12, 2026, 9:50 PMArise, Sir Kevin: Sinfield knighted in king’s birthday honours list- NRL•Jun 12, 2026, 9:35 PMSix Lionesses made MBEs in King's Birthday Honours
NRL•Jun 12, 2026, 9:35 PMSinfield knighted as Donald, Scarratt, Murphy made OBEs- NRL•Jun 12, 2026, 9:31 PMBurrow family 'delighted' at Sinfield knighthood
Rugby•Jun 12, 2026, 9:21 PMGeorge Furbank gives Saints farewell gift to seal thrilling playoff win against Leicester
